British band Vaults pose for photographers ahead of the UK Premiere of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in central London on February 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

British director Sam Taylor-Johnson (R), British actor Jamie Dornan (2nd R), US actress Dakota Johnson (2nd L) and British author E.L James (L) pose for photographers ahead of the UK Premiere of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in central London on February 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

US actress Dakota Johnson (L) is hugged by British author E.L James (R) ahead of the UK Premiere of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in central London on February 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

A lone protester holds up a placard as talent arrives for the UK Premiere of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in central London on February 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

A lone protester holds up a placard as talent arrives for the UK Premiere of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in central London on February 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

US actress Dakota Johnson poses for photographers ahead of the UK Premiere of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' in central London on February 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEALLEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

A protester holds a placard as people arrive to watch the film "Fifty Shades of Grey" on its opening day in Los Angeles on February 12, 2015. "Fifty Shades of Grey", the long-anticipated movie version of the bestselling erotic novel, began its worldwide rollout opening in theatres across France, Germany, Belgium and Serbia, days ahead of its key target territory the United States. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Women pose for photos in front of a poster advertising the movie "Fifty Shades of Grey" on its opening day in Los Angeles on February 12, 2015. The long-anticipated movie version of the bestselling erotic novel began its worldwide rollout opening in theatres across France, Germany, Belgium and Serbia, days ahead of its key target territory the United States. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Fifty Shades Of Grey fans who rushed to get their hands on the latest erotic novel in the series have already made it a best-seller.

Grey is EL James' newest creation, and it tells the racy love story from title character Christian Grey's point of view.

It's not clear if Northern Ireland actor Jamie Dornan, who starred in the first three tales in the series as Grey - as well as a serial killer in The Fall TV series - will appear in the latest sado-masochistic spin-off.

It went on pre-sale at the start of June, when the author revealed she was set to pen another of the housewives' favourites.

Readers who eagerly ordered the latest book in advance found it available to download from the stroke of midnight.

The new book will be in shops today, but is already among Amazon's eBook best-sellers.

The actor and his co-star Dakota Johnson, who appeared as Anastasia Steele, are signed up for the next movie in the trilogy, but there is no word as to whether they will appear in the latest incarnation in the series.

EL James claims she wrote Grey in response to demands from fans, and on the opening page she says it is "dedicated to those readers who asked... and asked... and asked... and asked for this".

Grey also attracted the attention of the police, over those claims that a copy of the unpublished novel had been stolen.

Detectives say there is no evidence a crime was committed.

A spokeswoman for Kent Police said: "Following a report that one book had been stolen after packaging was found to be damaged, there is no evidence at this stage to suggest that an offence has been committed.

"No more action will be taken unless further information is received."

A spokeswoman for publisher Penguin Randomhouse said: "We are delighted that the book's theft does not appear to have been for any malicious intent or financial gain.

"We can however confirm that we will continue our investigations into this matter and that we will be reporting any findings to Kent police.